Down Home Girl
Nazareth Lyrics

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Lord I swear, the perfume you wear
Is made out of turnip greens
And every time that I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
Even though you're wearin' them
Citified high heels
I can tell by your giant steps
That you've been walkin' through cotton fields

Oh, you're some down home girl
Your shoes are green, your dress is red
And your wiggy head is powder blue
But underneath all of that mess,
Well you're still the same old messy you
You're sittin there in that fancy chair
Just drinkin' champagne like a movie star
When ya oughta be sittin' on a sidewalk
Drinkin' white lightnin'
Out of a jelly jar
Oh, you're some down home girl
Dimples in your pretty cheeks
And dimples in your knees
You walk by and baby I
Can smell magnolia trees
You tell me you're from New York baby
But I know you're from way down South
I can hear a Mississippi mama
Evey time you open up your mouth

Oh, you're some down home girl
Oh, you're some down home girl

Overall Meaning

The song "Down Home Girl" by Nazareth tells the story of a woman who appears to be from high society, but deep down she still retains her southern roots. The singer goes into great detail describing her attire, pointing out her green shoes, red dress, and powder blue wig. He notes that even though she may have gone through a transformation, she has remained true to herself and her upbringing. The singer mentions that although she is drinking champagne like a movie star, she should be drinking white lightning out of a jelly jar on a sidewalk. He emphasizes that despite her current glamorous lifestyle, she is still a down-home girl at heart.

The singer picks up on small details about the woman, such as the perfume she wears that smells like turnip greens, and how she smells like magnolia trees when she walks by. He also notes the dialect she uses when she speaks, calling to mind a "Mississippi mama." The singer is enamored with this woman and although he knows she is from New York, he can see through her exterior that she is still a southern bell at heart. Overall, the song celebrates the idea of being true to oneself and not forgetting one's roots.

Line by Line Meaning

Lord I swear, the perfume you wear Is made out of turnip greens
I can't help but notice the way you smell, it reminds me of homegrown goodness.

And every time that I kiss you girl It tastes like pork and beans
When I kiss you, it's like tasting a meal that was cooked with love and care.

Even though you're wearin' them Citified high heels I can tell by your giant steps That you've been walkin' through cotton fields
You may be dressing up and trying new things, but I can see the roots of your upbringing and the strength it's given you.

Your shoes are green, your dress is red And your wiggy head is powder blue But underneath all of that mess, Well you're still the same old messy you
No matter how much you try to change your appearance, you're still the same person at your core.

You're sittin there in that fancy chair Just drinkin' champagne like a movie star When ya oughta be sittin' on a sidewalk Drinkin' white lightnin' Out of a jelly jar
You may be living a lavish lifestyle, but sometimes it's the simpler things that can bring the most happiness.

Dimples in your pretty cheeks And dimples in your knees You walk by and baby I Can smell magnolia trees
Every time I see you, I'm reminded of the beauty of the South and the memories it holds for me.

You tell me you're from New York baby But I know you're from way down South I can hear a Mississippi mama Evey time you open up your mouth
You may have left the South, but it's still very much a part of you and your identity.

Oh, you're some down home girl Oh, you're some down home girl
You may be different than other girls I've come across, but that's what makes you special and unique.

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ARTIE BUTLER, JERRY LEIBER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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